Washing machine



E. D. MOREY WASHING MACHINE April 4, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 6, 1964 INVENTOR. EVERETT D. MOREV ms ATTORNEY V Zoooodoo A ri14, 1967 Filed Aug. 6, 1964 I E. D MOREY 3,312,234

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INVENTOR. EVERETT D. MOREY H s ATTORNEY United States Patent C 3,312,234 WASHING MACHINE Everett D. Morey, Louisville, Ky., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 387,924 6 Claims. (Cl. 137-815) This invention relates to washing machines, and more particularly, to such machines wherein means are provided .for minimizing the wrinkling of clothes washed in the machine.

Automatic washing machines have been a boon to the American housewife because they automatically wash, rinse, and spin dry clothes and other fabrics without the housewife having to give constant attention to the machine. One drawback of such automatic wasLhing machines is that they tend to wrinkle the clothes washed in them. This problem has been heightened by the advent of synthetic fabrics because they tend to be more severely wrinkled by automatic washing machines than the materials used a few years ago.

It has been found that one of the chief causes of wrinkling of clothes in automatic washing machines is the temperature of the clothes when the machine spins in order to centrifugally extract the wash water. This is particularly true with the synthetic fabrics. By lowering the temperature of the clothes before spin, wrinkling can be minimized.

Accordingly it is an obpect of my invention to provide a washing machine in which wrinkling of the clothes washed in the machine is minimized.

A further, more specific, object of my invention is to provide a washing machine wherein the temperature of the wash water is reduced prior to spin.

A further more specific object of my invention is to provide such a washing machine wherein cold water is introduced into the clothes container for a predetermined period of time just prior to centrifugal extraction while the volume of wash water in the clothes container is retained at a substantially constant level.

In one aspect of my invention I provide a washing machine wherein container means are adapted to receive articles to be washed and water [for washing them, the water being provided from a suitable supply means. The container means are associated with washing means so that washing of the articles in the container means may be effected. Recirculating means are provided to recirculate water in the container means through a filter means and back to the container means. In addition, a drain is provided in the conventional way for effecting removal of water from the container means after use of the water has terminated. The recirculating means includes a valve which normally directs the flow of recirculated water from the container means through the filter means back to the container means. The valve is com trolled in response to the flow of water through the water supply means so that it is effective to divert the flow of recirculated water to drain when fresh water is supplied to the container means by the supply means during operation of the recirculating means. With this machine,

then, relatively cold water is introduced into the container means during washing of the clothes and automatically causes the flow of recirculated water to be diverted to drain so that the temperature of the water and fabrics in the container means is reduced while the level of the water within the container means is retained at substantially the same value.

The subject matter which I regard as my invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. My invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation together with further objects and advantages there- 'on the motor shaft.

3,312,234 Patented Apr. 4, 1967 ICC of, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

In the drawings, FIGURE 1 is a schematic front elevational view of my improved clothes washing machine, the view being partly in section to illustrate details;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view along line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an electrical diagram showing the con trol arrangement used in the machine of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE4 is a schematic view showing the develop ment of the cam surfaces used in the control of the timer operated switches shown in FIGURE 3, thereby indicating the o eration of the switches and cams throughout a washing cycle.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, there is shown therein, in schematic form, an agitator type washw ing machine generally indicated by the numeral 1. Machine 1 includes a clothes basket 2 having perforations 3 over the side and bottom walls and disposed within an outer imperforate tub or casing 4, basket 2 and tub 4 forming together liquid and clothes containing means. The entire structure is generally mounted within a suitable appearance and protective cabinet which in this case has been shown schematically by the dashed line 5.

In the center of basket 2 there is provide-d a vertical axis agitator 6 which includes a centerpost 7, and a plurality of curved vanes 8 extending out from the centerpost and connected together at their base by a flared skirt 9. Both basket 2 and agitator 6 are movably mounted. Conventional ly, the basket is mounted for rotation and the agitator is mounted for some type of oscillatory motion which will effect washing action on the clothes in the basket. In one conventional structure,

"basket 2 may be secured to a hollow shaft member 10,

and the agitator may be secured to a shaft 11 which extends up within shaft 10 in rotatable relation thereto.

Basket 2 and agitator 6 are driven from a reversible motor 12 through a drive including a clutch 13 mounted Clutch 13 allows the motor to start without load and then pick up the load as it comes up to speed. A suitable belt 14 transmits power to a transmission assembly 15 through a pulley 16. Thus, depending upon the direction of motor rotation, pulley 16 of transmission 15 is driven in opposite directions.

Transmission 15 is so arranged that it supports and drives both shaft 10 and 11. When motor 12 is rotated in one direction the transmission causes agitator 6 to be oscillated through shaft 11. Conversely, when the motor is driven in the opposite direction the transmission drives both basket 2 and agitator 6 together at a high speed through shafts 10 and 11 for centrifugal extraction of liquid from the clothes. While the particular form of drive means does not form part of the present invention, reference is made to Patent 2,844,225 issued on July 22, 1958, to James R. Hubbard et al., and owned by the General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention. That patent discloses in detail the structural characteristics of a transmission suitable for use in the illustrated machine.

In order to introduce washing and rinsing liquid into the assembly of basket 2 and tub 4, suitable conduit means 17 and 18 are provided for leading hot and cold water to a supply valve 19 for the machine. The passage of hot and cold water may be controlled by solenoids 20 and 21. Energization of solenoid 20 permits the passage of cold water through the valve, and energization of solenoid 21 permits the passage of hot water through the valve, and energization of both solenoids permits mixing of hot and cold water in the valve and passage of warm water therefrom through outlet conduit 22 extending from the valve.

Water passing through outlet conduit 22 flows through water supply mechanism 23 and nozzle 24 into the container means formed by basket 2 and tub 4. A conventional pressure-sensitive switch 25 is provided in the bottom of tub 4 and de-energizes whichever of solenoids 2i and 21 are energized when the proper liquid level is reached in tub 4 so as to shut off the supply of water.

In addition to operating transmission as described, motor 12 also provides a direct drive through a flexible coupling 26 to a pump structure, generally indicated by the numeral 27, which includes separate pumping units 28 and 29, both of which are operated in the same direction simultaneously by motor 12. Pump unit .28 has an inlet connected by a conduit 39 to an opening 31 formed at the lowermost point of tub 4. Pump unit 28 also has an outlet connected to a conduit 32 which leads to a drain (not shown). Pump unit 28 is formed so that it tends to pump toward the openings 31 during washing operation, but during spinning of the agitator and basket the pump unit 28 draws liquid from opening 31 through conduit 30 and discharges it through conduit 32 to drain (not shown).

Pump unit 29 has an inlet which is connected by an inlet conduit 33 to the interior of tube 4, preferably adjacent the bottom thereof as shown, and also has an outlet connected to a conduit 34. During wash, or first direction of motor rotation, pump unit 29 draws liquid in through conduit 33 and discharges it through conduit 34. During spin, or the opposite direction of motor rotation, pump unit 29 is substantially ineffective.

In the embodiment shown pump units 23 and 29 are turbine type pumps and both are driven by motor 11, it being well known that turbine type pumps reverse their pumping direction when their direction of rotation is reversed. However, in the direction of rotation in which they are not pumping liquid from tub 4, both of pumping units 28 and 29 are substantially ineffective, merely tending to pump air into tub 4.

Conduit 34 leads to a valve 35. Valve 35 is formed with top and bottom walls 36 and 37 respectively (as shown in FIGURE 2) and a pair of elongated, spaced side walls 38 and 39. A V-shaped intermediate wall 40 having first and second wall portions 41 and 42 is interposed between the elongated side walls at one end of valve member 35. Side wall 38 and wall portion 41 form a first passage 43 through valve 35 connecting conduit 34 to a conduit 44. Side wall 39 and wall portion 42 form a second passage 45 connecting conduit 34 to a conduit 46.

Conduit 44 extends up and terminates in a nozzle 47. Nozzle 47 is positioned to discharge into a filter pan 48 secured on the top 49 of agitator 6 so as to be movable therewith. With this structure, when the motor is rotating so as to provide agitation, the liquid discharged from nozzle 47 by pump 26 passes across an air gap and then into filter pan 48. The filter pan has a perforated bottom (not shown) which acts as a lint filter, causing lint which is separated from the clothes during washing operations to be filtered out of the water and thus preventing it from being redeposited on the clothes. This type of structure is more fully described and claimed in Patent 2,481,979, issued to Russell H. Colley on Sept. 13, 1949, and assigned to the General Electric Company, owner of the present invention.

Conduit 46 connects second passage 45 of valve 35 to drain (not shown). With this structure, when the motor is rotating so as to provide agitation, pumping unit 29 removes liquid from tub 4 through conduit 33 and discharges it through conduit 34 into valve 35. If the path of liquid flow through nozzle 35 is through first passage 43, the liquid will be recirculated back into tub 4 and basket 2 through conduit 44, nozzle 41 and filter pan 48. However, it the path of liquid flow through nozzle 35 is through passage 45, the liquid will pass through conduit 46 to drain.

By controlling the path of liquid flow through nozzle 35 I am able to introduce relatively cold water into the clothes container to cool down the clothes and at the same time maintain the level of liquid within the clothes container substantially constant. To this end first side wall 38 of valve 35 includes a recess forming a control port 50 communicating with passage 43. Bottom wall 37 is formed with an opening 51 so as to connect passage 43 to atmosphere through control port 50. In a like manner, side wall 39 includes a recess forming a control port 52 communicating with passage 45. Bottom wall 37 is formed with a nipple 53 which connects port 52 to a conduit 54 (as best seen in FIGURE 2). Conduit 54 connects port 52 to one wall 55 of a control valve 56, the other wall 57 of control valve 56 being formed as part of water supply mechanism 23.

A resilient diaphragm 58 is mounted between walls 55 and 57 so that diaphragm 58 and wall 55 form a first chamber 59 in communication with conduit 54. Diaphragm 58 and wall 57 form a second chamber 60 in communication with water supply passage 61 in water supply mechanism 23. Wall 55 includes an opening 62 connecting chamber 59 to atmosphere and, thereby, normally exposing port 52 of valve 35 to atmosphere. When water flows through passage 65, chamber 60 is filled with water and flexes diaphragm 58 to the right (as seen in FIGURE 1) to close opening 62. This effectively closes off port 52 from the atmosphere.

During agitation pump unit 29 draws water out of tub 4 through conduit 33 and discharges through conduit 34. The water then flows through passage 43 of valve 35, conduit 44 and nozzle 47 and is returned to tub 4 and basket 2 through filter '48. The flow of water through passage 43 is as a result of the configuration of valve 35 and the fact that a uniform pressure exists across the stream of water because both ports 50 and 52 are exposed to the atmosphere.

Toward the end of agitation (the wash period of operation), cold water is introduced into tub 4 and basket 2 through water supply mechanism 23. This passage of water causes chamber 60 to fill with water, thereby moving dia hragm 58 against wall 55 and closing opening 62 to close oif port 52 of valve 35 from atmosphere. This causes a pressure imbalance to exist Within valve member 35 so that the'path of the stream of water flowing through valve member 35 from conduit 34 is switched from passage 43'to passage 45 so that it flows out through conduit 45 to drain. Thus, when water is introduced into the basket and tub during agitation, the normal flow of recirculated water is diverted to drain so that a substantially constant level of liquid is retained in the basket 2 and tub 4.

At the end of the agitation period of operation the supply of cold water is interrupted. Diaphragm 58 returns to a central position and port 52 is once again exposed to atmosphere through conduit 54 and chamber 59.

While the washing machine has been shown in schematic form, it will be understood that diverter valve 35 will be located above the water level in tub 4 and basket 2 to prevent leakage of liquid through opening 51.

Referring now to FIGURE 3 of the drawings, there is shown a control circuit for the machine of FIGURE 1.

In connection with the circuit of FIGURE 3 it will be understood that present-day washers often include various improvements such as control panel lights, bleach dispenser controls, multi-speed controls, etc., which do not relate in any way to the' present invention and, that to some extent, these have been omitted for the sake of simplicity and ease of understanding.

In order to control the sequence of operation of the electrically operated components of the machine 1, the circuit includes appropriate sequence control means in the form of a timer motor 63 which drives a plurality of cams A, B, C, D, and E. These cams, during rotation of the timer motor, actuate various switches (as will be described) causing the machine to pass through an appropriate cycle of operation, first introducing hot water and agitating the clothes for washing the clothes, next introducing cold water to cool down the clothes while continuing to agitate the clothes and maintaining substantially the same level of liquid in the container, next extracting the water from the clothes and passing the water to drain, then introducing clean water and rinsing the clothes in that clean water and then finally extracting the rinse water from the clothes and passing it to drain.

The electrical circuit as a whole is energized from a single-phase alternating current power supply (not shown) through a pair of conductors 64 and 65. Cam A controls a switch 66 which includes contacts 67, 68, and 69. When cam A has assumed the position where all three contacts are separated, various electrically operated elements within the machine 1 have been disconnected from the power source and are inoperative. When operation of machine 1 is initiated switch 66 is controlled by cam A so that contacts 67 and 68 are engaged. A main power switch 70 may be closed by any suitable means such as, for instance, by axial motion of control member 71 shown in FIGURE 1. When switch 70 is closed it permits an operating circuit to be completed for machine 1.

An energizing circuit for one or both of the water supply solenoids 20 and 21 is completed by virtue of the closing of the switch 66, once the cams A, B, C, D and E have been manually turned to the starting position in FIGURE 4, this being accomplished, for instance, by manual rotation of the control member 71. From conductor 65 the circuit passes through contacts 67 and 68 and a conductor 72 to the solenoids 20 and 21. From solenoid 20 parallel paths extend, one of them through a switch 73 (operated by cam E) and a manually operable switch 74 to a conductor 75. The other parallel path is through switch 73 and contacts 76 and 77 of a timer operated switch 78, and then also to conductor 75. The circuit through solenoid 20 is provided with an additional path through switch 73 and conductor 79 to conductor 80. Similarly, from solenoid 21 there aretwo parallel paths, one through a manually operable switch 81 to conductor 75, and the other through contacts 82 and 77 of switch 78 to the conductor 75. Thus, when switches 73 and 78 are in the position shown at the start of wash, it will be seen that a circuit is completed to conductor 75 through contacts 82 and 77 regardless of whether manual switch 81 is closed. When contact 77 is in its upper position, that is, in engagement with contact 76 (during rinse, as shown in FIGURE 4) the circuit from conductor 72 to conductor 75 passes through the solenoid 20 regardless of whether switch 74 is closed. When either of switches 74 and 81 is closed, the solenoid associated therewith may be energized regardless of the position of contact 77 of switch 78. Additionally, when switch 73 is in its up position solenoid 20 is in the circuit between conductor 72 and conductor 80, regardless of the position of switch 74 and contact 77 of switch 78.

From the solenoids, then, the circuit extends to conductor 75 and from there through timer motor 63 back to conductor 64 through switch 70. In addition, parallel circuits may be completed from conductor 75 to conductor 64 through the main winding 83 and start winding 84 of induction motor 12. It will be understood that the induction motor 12 is of the conventional single-phase switch 85 of a relay 86, a conventional motor protector 87, a conductor 80, a switch 88 controlled by cam D, and

switch 70 back to'conductor 64.

The main winding 83 of the motor is connected in series with the coil 89 of relay 86, and at each end of the main winding 83 and coil 86 in series therewith are provided the two, ganged, movable switch arms 90 and .91 of a double-pole, double-thrown switch generally indicated by the numeral 92. The switch 92 includes a first stationary contact 93 connected to the conductor 75, a second stationary contact 94 which is also connected to the conductor 75, and a third stationary contact 95 connected to conductor 64 through a conductor 96, motor protector 87, conductor 80, switch 88, and switch 70.

When switch 92 is in the position shown, a circuit from conductor 75 is completed through contact 93, switch arm 90, relay coil 89, main winding 83, switch arm 91, contact 95 to conductor 96. When the switch 83 has its position reversed so that switch arm 90 engages contact 95 and switch arm 91 engages contact 94, the main winding circuit from conductor 75 passes through contact 94, switch arm- 91, the main winding 83, relay coil 89, switch arm 90, contact 95, and conductor 96.

It can thus readily be seen that the connection of the main winding between the conductors 75 and 64 is reversed for the two different positions of switch 92. Since a single connection of start winding 84 is provided across the two conductors, the connection (and therefore the polarity) of the main winding '83 relative to the start winding 84 is thus reversed. When both windings are connected in the circuit, this reversal is effective to re verse the rotation of the motor :12, the motor rotating in the direction to provide a washing operation when switch 92 is in the position shown and to provide a spin operation when the switch 92 is moved down to its second position. The relay coil 89 is designed to close contact 85 when the relatively high current demanded by the motor when the motor is rotating below a predetermined speed is passing through it. At other times, when there is no current passing through the relay coil 89 or the current is below the required energizing level (which is true in the running speed range of the motor), the contact 85 is opened. Thus, during running, only winding 83 of the motor is energized, winding 84 being disconnected by the opening of switch 85.

When the main winding 83 of motor 12 is in series with valve solenoids 20 and 21, as a result of being connected across conductors 75 and 64, a much lower impedance is presented in the circuit by the motor 12 than is presented by the valve solenoid. As a result, the greater portion of the supply voltageis taken up across the solenoids and relatively little across the motor. This causes whichever of the solenoids is connected in the circuit to be energized sufiiciently to open its associated water valve. As a result, water at a suitable temperature is admitted to the machine through nozzle 24, motors 12 and 63 remaining inactive. When water enters the basket 2 and tub 4, it rises in both at substantially the same rate because of the perforations 3, and, as the head of water acting on pressure sensitive switch 25 increases, the pressure increases until it actuates the switch 25. When switch 25 closes, it then provides a short circuit across the solenoids directly from conductor 72 to conductor 75 so that, with the solenoids thus excluded from the elfective circuit, they become de-energized and a high potential drop is provided across winding 83 of the motor 12. This causes the relay coil 89 to close contact 85 so that the windings 83 and 84 are energized in parallel with each other and motor I12 starts rotation, while at the same time motor 63 starts so as to initiate a sequence of operation.

It will be observed that the switch 88 is in series with main motor 12 but is not in series with the timer motor 63. Thus, by opening switch 88, the operation of motor 12 is stopped, but the timer motor 63 nonetheless continues to operate. It will be further noted that pressuresensitive water level switch 25 isin parallel with solenoids 20 and 21 between conductors 72 and 75 so that, when pressure-sensitive switch 25 is closed, solenoids 20 and 21 are elfectively shunted so that timer motor 63 and main motor 12 may be provided with sufficient power to operate. In order to provide cool down it is necessary that solenoid be energized while main motor 12 and timer motor 63 are operating in the wash step. To accomplish this, switch 73 (when moved to its upper position by cam E) connects solenoid 20 in parallel with main motor 12 and timer motor 63 between conductors 72 and 80 so that all three of these components may be energized at the same time.

In order to energize the motor 12 independently of the water level in the tub 4 when spin is to be provided, cam A is formed so as to be effective to close all three contacts 67, 68 and 69 of switch 66 during the extraction or spin step. This causes the power to be supplied directly through contacts 69 to conductor 75 and the motors, rather than through the water level switch or the valve solenoids.

Referring now to FIGURE 4 in conjunction with F'IG- U-RE 3, a suitable sequence of operation of the components and circuitry described above will be briefly set forth. Initially, the manual member 71 is set to a position wherein the cams A, B, C, D and E are in start position to initiate a washing cycle; then the member 71 is moved axially so as to close switch 70. In the position in which the cams are arranged manually by this operation of the member 711 contacts 67 and 68 of switch 66 are closed by cam A, and contact 77 of switch 78 engages cont-act 82. The other timer switches are also in the position shown in FIGURE 3. This causes the valve solenoids to operate as previously mentioned to introduce hot water into tub 4 and basket 2, with the timer motor and main motor remaining inactive until the water level switch is closed. (If switch 74 has been closed manually, warm rather than hot, water will be provided.) At that time, the valve solenoids stop the introduction of water, the timer motor 63 starts to toll the sequence, and the main motor 12 starts rotating in the direction to cause operation of agitator 6 and recirculation of water by pump 27 through filter pan 48.

This agitation and recirculation operation continues for an appropriate period of time identified in FIGURE 4 as WASH. A short time before the completion of WASH cam E moves switch 73 from its lower position shown in'FIGURE 3 to its upper position so that solenoid 20 is connected in parallel with timer motor 63 and main motor 12. When this happens, cold water is introduced into tub 4 and basket 2 through water supply mechanism 23 and nozzle 24 so as to cool down the temperature of the water in the tub and basket.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, this flow of water through water supply mechanism 23 causes diaphragm 58 to close ofi conduit 54, which results in the path of water fiow through valve being diverted from conduit 44 to conduit 46 so that the recirculated water is directed to drain rather than back into tub 4 through filter 4-8. Thus, the temperature of the water and clothes in basket 2 and tub 4 are reduced while the water level is maintained substantially constant.

Referring again to FIGURES 3 and 4, at the conclusion of the wash period cam E returns switch 73 to its lower position to stop the flow of cold water. Also switch 88 is opened by cam D to de-energize motor 12 and provide pause A, the motor 63 continuing to operate as described. The continued operation of motor 63 causes the switch 92 to reverse the position of arms 90 and 91 so that they engage contacts 95 and 9-4 respectively. Also, cam A closes contacts 67 and 68 with contact 69. As a result, when switch 88 is reclosed, the motor 12 starts operation, independently of the water level switch 25, in the reverse direction from its previous direction of rotation. In this reverse direction of rotation, the basket is spun at high speed to effect a centrifugal extraction operation, with the drain pump unit 28 being rotated in the direction which makes it effective to pull water from the tub 4 and pass it out to drain through conduit 32.

Transmission 15 is, preferably, provided with brake means responsive to motor de-energization to stop basket rotation. A suitable brake for this purpose is, for instance, fully described and claimed in Patent 2,946,409 issued July 26, 1960, to G. N. Jennings and assigned to the assignee of the present application. It is to be assumed, for purposes of illustration, that transmission 15 incorporates the brake of the Jennings patent.

The extraction operation continues for an appropriate period of time and then switch 88 is reopened to stop the motor again and to provide pause B. The timer motor moves switches 66 and 92 back to their original positions, as shown in FIGURE 3, and also moves contact 77 of switch 78 up into engagement with contact 76. As a result, when switch 88 is closed once again the solenoid 20 is energized to provide cold 'water unless switch 81 is closed, in which case warm water is provided. When an appropriate level is reached switch 25 closes to cause motor 1-2 and motor 63 to start up again to provide a timed period of agitation and recirculation for the rinse operation. At the end of this, in the same manner as before the motor 12 is stopped to provide pause C, the switch 92 is reversed, and then the switch 88 is reclosed to provide a final spin. At the end of the final spin, switch 88 reopens to provide a brief pause D during which switch 66 fully opens to end the cycle.

Thus, it can be seen that a fully automatic sequence of operation is provided by the machine 1 in response to the setting of member 71 in order to wash and then damp dry clothes by centrifuging the vitiated liquid out of them. It will further be noted that cam E and switch 73 are elfective to cause a cool down of the liquid in the container means at the end of the wash cycle so as to eliminate or substantially reduce the wrinkling of the clothes in the container.

Cool down has been shown as occurring only at the completion of WASH. This is because WASH normally is carried out with hot water, which is desirable for thorough cleaning of the clothes .but results in iwrinkling. Rinse is normally carried out with cold or warm water which does not add to the wrink'ling problem. However, should the washing machine be designed to include a hot rinse, an additional cool down operation may be provided in the manner similar to that described above for WASH cool down by modification of cam E. Such a provision would be well within the spirit and scope of my invention.

It will be understood that, while in accordance with the patent statutes, I have described what at present is considered to be the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from my invention, and it is therefore aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a clothes washing machine including a container to receive liquid and clothes to be washed in the liquid;

(a) a liquid supply mechanism for introducing liquid into said container, I

(b) recirculation means for removing liquid from said container and discharging it back into said container, and

(c) means responsive to the introduction of additional liquid into said container during recirculation for diverting the path of recirculated liquid from said container to drain.

2. In a clothes washing machine including a container to receive liquid and clothes to be washed in the liquid;

(a) a liquid supply mechanism for introducing liquid into said container,

(b) recirculation means for removing liquid from said container and discharging it back into said container, and

(c) means responsive to the fiow of liquid through said liquid supply mechanism during recirculation for diverting the path of recirculated liquid from said container to drain.

3. In a clothes washing machine including a container to receive liquid and clothes to be washed in the liquid;

(a) a liquid supply mechanism for introducing liquid into said container,

(b) recirculation means, including a diverter valve, for removing liquid from said container and discharging it back into said container,

(c) a normally open conduit connecting said diverter valve to atmosphere, and

(d) a control valve responsive to liquid flow through said liquid supply mechanism for closing said conduit,

(e) said diverter valve being responsive to the closing of said conduit to divert the flow of recirculated liquid from said container to drain.

4. In a clothes washing machine including a container to receive liquid and clothes to be washed in the liquid;

(a) a liquid supply mechanism for introducing liquid into said container;

(b) recirculation means, including a diverter valve, for removing liquid from said container and discharging it back into said container,

(c) a conduit connecting said diverter valve to said liquid supply mechanism,

((1) said liquid supply mechanism including a control valve to receive one end of said conduit,

(e) said control valve normally exposing said one end of said conduit to atmosphere and being responsive to liquid flow through said liquid supply mechanism to close said one end of said conduit,

(f) said diverter valve being responsive to the closing of said one end of said conduit to divert the flow of recirculated liquid from said container to drain.

5. In a clothes washing machine including a container to receive liquid and clothes to be washed in the liquid;

(a) a liquid supply mechanism, including a control valve, for introducing liquid into said container,

(b) recirculation means, including a diverter valve, for removing liquid from said container and discharging it back into said container,

(c) said diverter valve including a first passage for directing the flow of recirculated liquid back into said container and a second passage for directing the flow of recirculated liquid to drain,

(d) said diverter valve further including an opening in communication with said second passage,

(e) a conduit connecting said opening with said control valve, 4

(f) said control valve normally exposing one end of said conduit to atmosphere and being responsive to flow of liquid through said liquid supply mechanism to close said one end of said conduit for altering the pressure adjacent said second passage in said diverter valve to thereby divert flow of recirculated liquid from said first passage to said second passage.

6. In a clothes washing machine including a container to receive liquid and clothes to be washed in the liquid;

(a) a liquid supply mechanism, including a control valve, for introducing liquid into said container,

(b) recirculation means, including a diverter valve, for removing liquid from said container and discharging it back into said container, i

(c) said diverter valve including a pair of elongated spaced side walls and an intermediate wall between said side walls, the first of said side walls and said intermediate wall forming a first passage for directing the flow of recirculated liquid back into said con tainer and the second of said side walls and said intermediate wall forming a second passage for directing the flow of recirculated liquid to drain,

((1) said first side wall including a first opening connecting said first passage to atmosphere for biasing fluid flow through said first passage,

(e) said second side wall including a second opening in communication with said second passage,

(f) a conduit connecting said second opening with said control valve,

(g) said control normally exposing one end of said conduit to atmosphere, and being responsive to flow of liquid through said liquid supply mechanism to close said one end of said conduit for altering the pressure adjacent said second passage in said diverter valve to thereby divert flow of recirculated liquid from said first passage to said second passage.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,564,231 8/1951 Pitney 137-87 3,001,539 9/1961 Hurvitz 13781.5 3,072,147 1/1963 Allen et al 137-815 3,171,421 3/1965 Joesting 1378l.5 3,240,222 3/1966 Heil 137-87 3,267,949 8/1966 Adams 13781.5

M. CARY NELSON, Primary Examiner,

S. SCOTT, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE INCLUDING A CONTAINER TO RECEIVE LIQUID AND CLOTHES TO BE WASHED IN THE LIQUID; (A) A LIQUID SUPPLY MECHANISM FOR INTRODUCING LIQUID INTO SAID CONTAINER, (B) RECIRCULATION MEANS FOR REMOVING LIQUID FROM SAID CONTAINER AND DISCHARGING IT BACK INTO SAID CONTAINER, AND (C) MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE INTRODUCTION OF ADDITIONAL LIQUID INTO SAID CONTAINER DURING RECIRCULATION FOR DIVERTING THE PATH OF RECIRCULATED LIQUID FROM SAID CONTAINER TO DRAIN. 